Chennai-Based Startup Reaches Milestone
On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Agnikul Cosmos, a private space technology startup from Chennai, for their groundbreaking achievement. The startup successfully launched the ‘Agnibaan’ rocket, which Shah described as a “game-changing” event in space history.
Kudos to the @AgnikulCosmos team for their historic success in launching the Agnibaan rocket.
With the sheer power of their genius, they have scripted a game-changing episode in the history of space by sending the world’s first rocket with a single-piece 3D-printed…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 30, 2024
World’s First 3D-Printed Engine Rocket
Agnibaan is the world’s first rocket powered by a single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine. This innovation marks a significant advancement in rocket technology, combining ingenuity and cutting-edge engineering.
The successful test launch of Agnibaan took place on Thursday morning at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Agnikul Cosmos used India’s first and only private launch pad for this mission.
The rocket’s engine, named Agnilet, is entirely 3D-printed and was designed and built in Bharat. It runs on a semi-cryogenic fuel system, using aviation turbine fuel kerosene and liquid oxygen, making it efficient and reliable.
Humbled to announce the successful completion of our first flight – Mission 01 of Agnibaan SOrTeD – from our own and India’s first & only private Launchpad within SDSC-SHAR at Sriharikota. All the mission objectives of this controlled vertical ascent flight were met and… pic.twitter.com/9icDOWjdVC
— AgniKul Cosmos (@AgnikulCosmos) May 30, 2024
Support from Government and ISRO
Pawan K Goenka, Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), called the launch a historic moment for Bharat’s space sector. ISRO also congratulated Agnikul Cosmos, praising the mission as a major milestone for controlled flight technology.
Agnibaan is a customizable, two-stage vehicle capable of lifting up to 300 kg to orbits around 700 km above Earth. It can access both low and high-inclination orbits and is designed to launch from over 10 different ports, offering great flexibility for various missions.
Startup’s Journey and Achievements
Founded in 2017 and incubated at IIT-Madras, Agnikul Cosmos has made significant strides in space technology. In 2021, they successfully tested the Agnilet engine and raised $11 million from investors. They also signed agreements with ISRO and IN-SPACe, and in 2022, they inaugurated their launchpad and mission control room in Sriharikota.
The success of Agnibaan’s launch showcases the talent and innovation of Bharat’s young space engineers. It also signifies a crucial step towards opening up the Bharatiya space sector to private companies, promising a bright future for space exploration and technology in the nation.
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